Recent satellite imagery has revealed significant advancements in the construction of a large-scale military base by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Shannan, Tibet, situated approximately 62 kilometers from the Indo-Tibet border adjacent to Arunachal Pradesh. This development signals a pivotal transition from reliance on temporary installations to the establishment of durable facilities, indicating China’s long-term military intentions in an area that has historically been sensitive.
The military base is categorized under the Tibet Military Region, which is part of the PLA’s Western Theater Command. The latest satellite images exhibit the establishment of enhanced infrastructure, including reinforced barracks, storage sheds shielded by earthen berms, designated vehicle positions, and interconnected trench systems. Defense analysts interpret these upgrades as indications of bolstered capabilities for conducting high-altitude military operations effectively and facilitating prolonged troop deployments in a challenging environment.
The construction project appears to have commenced around 2017-2018, with earlier phases focusing predominantly on temporary structures. The recent developments highlight a clear shift towards permanent military infrastructure, a move that aligns with a broader pattern of PLA militarization along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This trend has accelerated particularly in the wake of notable incidents like the 2017 Doklam standoff and the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in 2020.
In response to perceived border threats, the PLA’s military command in Tibet was elevated in 2016 to enhance combat readiness, and since then, the pace of infrastructure projects has increased markedly. Observers suggest that the newly strengthened base may be associated with the PLA Unit 77563, although this connection has yet to be substantiated.
The establishment of permanent military facilities in this border region has the potential to alter the regional military balance, providing logistical advantages and enabling quicker deployment of Chinese forces in proximity to contested areas. While the Indian government has not yet released a formal statement regarding these developments, discussions on this issue are anticipated to feature prominently in forthcoming military and diplomatic dialogues.
Experts caution that such military expansions could heighten the risk of friction and miscalculations along the LAC, exacerbating the already tense situation between India and China as both nations continue to assert their territorial claims in one of the world’s most geopolitically crucial areas.
